Deacon William Koniers, left, and Bishop William E. Lori leave St. Pius X Church in Fairfield, Conn. after Easter Sunday Mass on Sunday, April 8, 2012. Bishop Lori was headed to Baltimore for meetings before taking his new appointment as the16th archbishop of Baltimore in May. less

Deacon William Koniers, left, and Bishop William E. Lori leave St. Pius X Church in Fairfield, Conn. after Easter Sunday Mass on Sunday, April 8, 2012. Bishop Lori was headed to Baltimore for meetings before ... more

Bishop William E. Lori greets Thomas Matthew Kelty III, 3 mos, and his father, Thomas, after Easter Mass at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield, Conn. on Sunday, April 8, 2012. Bishop Lori was recently named the16th archbishop of Baltimore. less

Bishop William E. Lori greets Thomas Matthew Kelty III, 3 mos, and his father, Thomas, after Easter Mass at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield, Conn. on Sunday, April 8, 2012. Bishop Lori was recently named the16th ... more

Mary Taft, 15, of Fairfield, has her picture taken with Bishop William E. Lori after Easter Mass at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield, Conn. on Sunday, April 8, 2012. Bishop Lori was recently named the16th archbishop of Baltimore. less

Mary Taft, 15, of Fairfield, has her picture taken with Bishop William E. Lori after Easter Mass at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield, Conn. on Sunday, April 8, 2012. Bishop Lori was recently named the16th ... more

"It's bittersweet," Lori said of his upcoming departure to Baltimore May 16 to become the new archbishop of that diocese, a major promotion in the church's hierarchy.

"It's a sense of leaving home," Lori said when asked how he felt about leaving. "Fairfield County has been my home for the last 11 years. It will always be dear to me."

In what may be his final public act in Connecticut, Lori chose to conduct Easter services at the airy church on Brookside Drive. Hundreds jammed the church, leaving many standing in entryways and doorways. A bright sun beamed against a deep blue sky.

After Mass, Lori stood on the front steps of the church and greeted members of his flock until there was no one left to talk to. Lori planned to take a train to Baltimore later Sunday afternoon for several days of meetings. He said he will be back and forth between Bridgeport and Baltimore until his official installation as archbishop.

One parishioner who stopped by to greet the bishop was 10-year-old Victor De La Pena. Lori handed the boy his golden staff, which Pena eagerly held, the handle far above his head.

"Is it real gold?" Pena asked.

"No, it's not," Lori said with a smile and a chuckle. "If it was, it would locked up in a vault."

"He's a friendly guy," Pena said after exchanging a few words the bishop. "But his hat looks like a beak."

Others also were excited to see Lori and sorry to learn he's leaving Fairfield County.

Marie Sodaro, of Fairfield, attended the Mass with her husband of 59 years just so she could see Lori for a final time.

"He's very caring and very loving and very understanding. He's a very genuine person," she said.

"He was a very excellent bishop here. He helped me come back to the church. I'm thinking about entering the seminary."

Dan Taft said he lives in New York City, but returns to the Fairfield church every Sunday for services. He was there with his wife, daughter and brother.

"This is my parish. We are very proud of him," Taft said of Lori. "It's an honor to have someone from here move into a really big diocese."

Elaine Bertsch, a Fairfield resident who sings in the church choir, said she really enjoyed Lori's service. "I like him. He's been very present in the parish. I'm happy he gave Mass here."

As the crowd began to thin and new churchgoers were seated for the noon Mass, Lori was still shaking hands. Asked why he chose to preside over his last Connecticut Easter Mass at the relatively small Fairfield church, Lori said he made the decision before he learned of his new assignment.

"I like to go out and do Masses. It's fun to get out to the parishes," Lori said.